PAGE 8 Sunday, May 11, 2008 THE DALLAS POST Shawnee Acker, By REBECCA BRIA rbria@timesleader.com November 8, 2004 is a day Shawnee Acker will never forget. Acker was lying on the back- seat of a car on her way back to college at Penn State Schuylkill when the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Each time the car rolled on Interstate 81 near the Inter- state 80 junction, Acker’s body was thrown up against it. Having been ejected from the vehicle, the 21-year-old was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital where she was placed in the Intensive Care Unit. Now three-and-a-half years lat- er, Acker, 25, of Moscow, is the re- cipient of the 2008 Outstanding Adult Learner Award at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. The award is given to one adult from each of the five institutions of higher learning in the county and is an annual collaborative sponsorship among the colleges. Acker received a plaque honor- ing her as Penn State Wilkes- Barre’s 2008 Outstanding Adult Learning at a dinner ceremony hosted by Misericordia Universi- “ was really surprised because a lot of people who get it (the award) are very accomplished in their school,” Acker said. “It’s a big honor. The people who got it have been through a lot and done alot.” “When I was hurt, I decided to finish school,” Acker said. “I didn’t want to just lie around and do nothing every day.” But Acker is lucky to even be alive. She was in the hospital for six weeks before being trans- ferred to Moses Taylor Skilled Nursing Home in Scranton. Upon her release from the hospital, she lived with her parents for several months to heal. She later under- went orthopedic surgery at Her- shey Medical Center where she spent another month. “It definitely made me appre- ciate my family and my friends more because everybody was there for me when I needed them,” Acker said of the experi- ence. "I just appreciate every- thing more.” Acker used a wheelchair for two years and had to learn to walk all over again. While reha- bilitating, she decided to enroll in online courses from Penn State University. “A lot of my courses at Penn State I had to cancel when I got DARLING & SONS’ FARMS & GREENHOUSES hurt,” she said. “I didn’t want to fall too far behind, so I started taking courses.” After being discharged from Hershey Medical Center, Acker enrolled at Penn State Wilkes- Barre because the Penn State Worthington campus, which is closer to her hometown, does not offer her major. While at the uni- versity, she has maintained a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and, through the school, has per- formed volunteer work at St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen in Scranton and St. Mary’s Villa Nursing Home in Moscow. She is a member of the honor society club at Penn State. Last fall, Acker and her room- - Having to overcome obstacles, PSU/WB student bounces back mate, Maggie Norton, started the Local Environmental Revolution Club. Acker serves as president of the club which is aimed at per- forming environmental projects and cleanups in the community. Also in the fall semester of 2007, she completed an internship with the United States Probation Of- fice for the Middle States of Penn- sylvania, where she worked in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. This Saturday, Acker will grad- uate with a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Penn State Wilkes-Barre. She plans to seek employment in pro- bation or parole and hopes to re- turn to school for her master’s de- gree. 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